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Three time Stanley Cup Champion to part ways with the Detroit Red Wings this summer
Photo credit: Yahoo Sports
Red Wings forward and future Hall of Famer Patrick Kane is playing on an expiring contract and could potentially be entering his final month with the club.
While his future in Detroit seemed bleak at best last year, Patrick Kane agreed to return on a 1-year, incentive-laiden deal.
That deal happens to expire on July 1, and he can one again become an unrestricted free agent. Is Kane contemplating a departure from Detroit?
Via Todd Matthews of Octopus Thrower, it would appear so. In Matthews' mind,, Kane will either want to play for a bonafide Stanley Cup contender to finish out his career or return for one last go around with the Chicago Blackhawks to mentor Connor Bedard.
Patrick Kane isn't finished yet, but heading into his age-37 season, he'll be insistent on playing for either a top-ranked contender or the Chicago Blackhawks. Yes, the Blackhawks, as who better to help oversee the team's transition phase than the former face of the franchise?
It all depends if Kane wants to hoist the Stanley Cup one more time or help engage in the massive rebuilding project currently going on in the Windy City. Regardless, he doesn't fit into the Red Wings future plans unless they want to keep blocking young players and prospects.
Regardless of where Kane ends up, he'll remain a productive player, ending up with somewhere between 0.75 and 0.80 points per game. Not a bad number, but not where he was. In Detroit's case, anyone moving up through the rankings may not hit that same mark immediately, but if this is truly the long game, then it makes logistical sense.
It all depends if Kane wants to hoist the Stanley Cup one more time or help engage in the massive rebuilding project currently going on in the Windy City. Regardless, he doesn't fit into the Red Wings future plans unless they want to keep blocking young players and prospects.
Regardless of where Kane ends up, he'll remain a productive player, ending up with somewhere between 0.75 and 0.80 points per game. Not a bad number, but not where he was. In Detroit's case, anyone moving up through the rankings may not hit that same mark immediately, but if this is truly the long game, then it makes logistical sense.
While that is speculation on Matthews' part, there is also reason to believe that Kane could consider another go-around with the Red Wings.
He loves playing with former Blackhawks teammate Alex DeBrincat, has previous ties to the community from before his NHL career, and his young son Patrick Jr. is best friends with DeBrincat's young son Archie.
Will Kane return for one more kick at the can in Detroit?
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 1 | 168 ANSWERS Three time Stanley Cup Champion to part ways with the Detroit Red Wings this summer Will Patrick Kane return to the Red Wings next year? | ||
| Yes | 107 | 63.7 % |
| No | 61 | 36.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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